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Borussia Dortmund fans in Laos have a great chance to engage with their favourite club. TPLUS, also known as Lak 7, the leading telecom operator in Lao PDR, has penned a deal with Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund to bring news, events, and interaction opportunities to fans of Dortmund in Laos. 

This deal will present fans in Laos with an exclusive opportunity to learn more about the team and their favourite players from close quarters. Fans in Laos will be able to experience up-close what it feels like to be a part of Dortmund’s premier fan club. 

Apart from this, TPLUS have some great surprises up its sleeves which they are going to reveal in due course. Black and yellow, the native colours of Dortmund, hold true for TPLUS as well. Dortmund is well known among the Laotian fans as the tiger of the German Bundesliga. And the players stand out in their eye-catching black and yellow attire.  

Similarly, TPLUS, the tiger amongst the telecom players in Laos, boast of the same combination of colours. Complementary and instantly recognizable, the colours create a powerful symbol of strength and cooperation and will inspire fans of TPLUS and Dortmund of all ages.

“On behalf of TPLUS, I am very proud to introduce this cooperation between TPLUS and Borussia Dortmund, Germany’s top-ranked football team,” said Mr Phetsavanh Kheunvilay, CEO of TPLUS Digital Sole Co., Ltd. 

“I sincerely hope that this partnership will serve as a foundation for growing the potential of football and young footballers in the Lao PDR. This partnership is a direct message to Laotian fans of Borussia Dortmund (BVB) especially to the younger generation, that we at TPLUS constantly delight in bringing only the best opportunities and experiences to our network fan club.” 

“In addition to this partnership with Borussia Dortmund, TPLUS has many other great activities planned for our customers throughout the year,” Mr Kheunvilay added. 

Borussia Dortmund’s Asia Pacific Managing Director, Suresh Letchmanan highlighted, “We were hugely impressed by TPlus’s approach to football and how TPlus has quickly grown to become one of Laos most innovative and exciting brands in the telecommunication space. Their corporate colour code matches with our black and yellow tone which is an absolute fit to our BVB elements. We welcome them on board the BVB family.” 

Naushad Moosa feels that Bengaluru FC are just a win away from turning their season around and fighting for a play-off spot in the 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL).

The Blues, who have not failed to make the play-offs since joining the ISL, are on an eight-game winless streak ahead of their tie against East Bengal on Tuesday.

They threw away a two-goal lead and were held by Hyderabad FC in their last outing.

"It was not easy after losing the three points but the players know what the job is. We have six matches ahead. Being professionals, we are all positive. We will be missing Erik (Paartalu), Juanan (suspended and injured respectively) but we are positive with the Indian players who want to go out there and prove themselves," said Interim coach Moosa.

With 15 points from 14 games, and currently five points from the fourth-placed team on the table, the 49-year-old stated that a win is enough to lead them out from the mid-table cluster.

"This (mid-table cluster) is what is keeping us more positive. If you see the points table, it's not much of a difference. Just one win and you're there. That really motivates us and what is pushing us to get a positive result. One three points and we are there to work hard and be there in the play-offs," he said.

Meanwhile, Moosa has taken note of East Bengal's recent run of form as the Red and Golds have lost just once in nine games (W2, D6). He feels they are improving as each game goes by. 

"If you see the way they have improved, they have been doing really well. They have been creating chances but not scoring. But it doesn't make us feel relaxed because we have to work on our own strategy and see that we play positive football. The way they are playing, the way Bright (Enobakhare) moves from the left wing with [Jacques] Maghoma, it will not be easy for sure. If you see the last game, in the second half, they were totally dominating the game against Goa (1-1 draw)," he observed.

Moosa has good knowledge of Bengaluru's youngsters from the time he spent as B team coach. With players like Leon Augustine and Parag Shrivas getting game time under him, he feels that the youngsters will get much-needed confidence this season and will be ready to make the step up next season. 

"Leon (Augustine) will be starting tomorrow. Parag (Shrivas) has been given a fair chance and he's doing really well. But that's what it's all about - giving them experience. For sure, this help build their confidence and prepare them for the next season," he shared.

"They (youngsters) still need to understand the seriousness of ISL. It's not the same because there's not much scope for silly mistakes in the ISL because it costs you. So these are small details that have helped me being an interim coach that will help me to work with the reserve team squad and prepare them for the senior team."

Bengaluru's Deshorn Brown has clicked on loan with NorthEast United while Ajay Chhetri has been getting ample gametime at East Bengal. However, Bengaluru have not been able to secure any new signings in January apart from Xisco Hernandez.

"It didn't go really well. We were trying for players from Goa, ATK [Mohun Bagan] and Mumbai [City] but things didn't work out in favour. So we just got one new player, Xisco. The rest are all the same. We sent Deshorn Brown to NorthEast and Ajay Chhetri to East Bengal but the players that we were trying for, we didn't get, because we were looking for players who would fit in the first 11," Moosa lamented.

Liverpool have been warned off a late window move for Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi, with Gunners cult hero Perry Groves saying he would steer well clear of the German “because I’ve seen him play!”.

Jurgen Klopp remains in the market for another centre-half as the clock ticks down towards another deadline.

Various options have been explored by the Reds as they seek to manage their way through an unfortunate injury crisis.

Efforts to get another body on board have been stepped up after seeing Fabinho and Joel Matip join Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez on the treatment table.

Preston’s Ben Davies, who is due to become a free agent in the summer, has become a potential option for the Reds in a cut-price deal that could provide short-term cover.

Mustafi is another that Klopp is said to have had an eye on, with the World Cup winner running his deal down at Emirates Stadium amid a lack of game time in 2020-21.

He would take Premier League experience with him to Anfield if a shock move was made, but Groves believes there are more suitable additions for Liverpool to pursue.

The former Gunners midfielder has told talkSPORT: “I wouldn’t be taking Mustafi, because I’ve seen him play for Arsenal!

“He’s always got a mistake in him. He loses concentration.

“Even in the ginger brotherhood, I can’t back him!

“If you’re bringing someone in, they’ve got to be as good or better than what you’ve got – and I don’t think Mustafi is.”

Mustafi, who took in a brief spell on Merseyside with Everton at the start of his senior career, has made 151 appearances for Arsenal across four-and-a-half years in north London.

Only nine of those outings have been taken in this season, as Mikel Arteta favours other options, and he is expected to follow fellow countryman Mesut Ozil out of the Emirates before hitting free agency.

The 28-year-old’s agent has admitted as much, but a switch to Liverpool appears unlikely as Klopp casts his recruitment net a little wider and endeavours to secure the services of a more reliable performer.

Manchester United are expecting a quiet transfer deadline day, with a couple of outgoings the only likely business.

Marcos Rojo’s move to Boca Juniors is expected to be finalised after the club agreed to terminate his contract six months early to facilitate his switch back to Argentina, but with the transfer window over there open until February 19th it is possible the deal could not go through until after Monday. 

The centre-back has not featured at all for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this season and made just one Premier League start in the previous campaign having further fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford.

Another player who is expected to make a move today is teenage defender Teden Mengi. The centre-back, who made his first-team debut last season in the Europa League and is captain for the Under-23 side, should complete a move to Derby County to work with former United striker Wayne Rooney.

The 18-year-old defender will join the list of United loanees, which got bigger over the weekend after right winger Facundo Pellistri made a temporary switch.

The teenager joined from Penarol on the final day of the summer transfer window, and while he has been impressing in first-team training and made an impact while playing for the U23s this term, it was agreed he could leave on a short-term loan deal to gain valuable first-team playing experience.

After initial interest from Club Brugge, the 19-year-old joined Deportivo Alaves with the La Liga side agreeing to contribute towards his wages for the remainder of the campaign.

Jesse Lingard’s loan move to West Ham was completed last week with the London club agreeing to pay United a £1.5 million ($2m) loan fee as well as the 28-year-old’s wages.

Tahith Chong’s spell at Werder Bremen ended after just 13 Bundesliga appearances and he has now moved to Club Brugge in the hope of more regular game time. 

James Garner’s spell at Watford came to a premature close with the midfielder struggling for game time since Xisco Munoz took charge of the Hornets in December. The 19-year-old, who has made seven first-team appearances, has joined Nottingham Forest for the remainder of the campaign.

It is a possibility that a couple of other of United’s youngsters could be heading out on loan today, with interest from a number of clubs in midfielder Ethan Galbraith and goalkeeper Matej Kovar, who spent the first half of the season on loan at Swindon.

United are not expecting any last-minute incoming transfers, unlike the final day of the summer window.

Amad Diallo finally arrived at Old Trafford this month after United agreed a £19m ($26m) up front deal for the 18-year-old from Atalanta in the summer. The right winger made the move last month after receiving the right paperwork and impressed on his first appearance in a United shirt, scoring twice as the U23s beat Liverpool 6-3 on Saturday.

Police FC youngster Derrick Kakooza has vowed to help Uganda's U20 team perform well at the Tanzania mini-tournament.

The Hippos will use the competition to prepare for the Africa U20 Cup of Nations scheduled to be played in Mauritania from February 14.

After making the final cut of 25 players named by coach Morley Byekwaso for the tournament in Dar es Salaam, Kakooza has now said he will use the opportunity to cement his place in the team that will head to Mauritania by scoring many goals.

“I really feel grateful having made it to the final squad, a joyous Kakooza said as quoted by Police social media pages. “There are very many youths in Uganda who play football and being among the few to have made it to the final squad, feels really great and I thank God for the opportunity.”

Kakooza further said he will use the opportunity to break through to the national team and keep his place.

“Our coaches have prepared us very well and the whole team is in good shape. I want to score goals for our team and I promise not to let it down. This is my opportunity and I will try to use it well,” Kakooza continued.

The 18-year old forward has gone through all stages in the Police Academy right from the first one - the Police Kids Academy, Police Young, Armless Bridge, and now the senior team.

He also took his time to thank Police coach Abdallah Mubiru for identifying him and giving him the chance to play by stating: “Police have given me a platform to build my career and special thanks to [Mubiru] and the whole technical team for the support not forgetting my teammates.

“Our Hippo coaches have also prepared us well and I thank them too. Coach Morley Byekwaso and his technical team - I can't thank them enough.”

The squad will leave for their neighbouring country for the 10-day tournament that will also include Namibia. Tanzania and the Hippos qualified for the U20 Afcon from Zone 5.

In the biennial competition, Uganda have been pooled in Group A, and the Hippos will have to do battle for a quarter-final berth with hosts Mauritania, Central African heavyweights Cameroon and Mozambique.

Hippos will play Mozambique in the first match on February 15 before they take on Cameroon on February 17 and finish their group matches with a clash against Mauritania on February 20.

Tanzania, who lost in the Cecafa final to Uganda, have been placed in a tough Group C that features Ghana, Gambia, and Morocco while Group B has Burkina Faso, Tunisia, Namibia, and the Central African Republic.

Goalkeepers: Komakech Jack (Ascent SA), Oyo Delton (Busoga United FC), Ssenyondwa Denis Kaala (SC Villa). 

Defenders: Kizito Mugweri Gavin (SC Villa), Semakula Kenneth (Busoga United FC), Musa Ramathan (KCCA FC) Kafumbe Joseph (KCCA FC), Begisa James Penz (UPDF FC), Baligeya Simon (Kibuli SS), Abdul Azizi Kayondo (Vipers SC)

Midfielders: Mugulusi Isma (Busoga United FC), Yiga Najib (Vipers SC), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Vipers SC) Sserwadda Steven (KCCA FC), Eyamu Ivan (Mbarara City FC), Kawooya Andrew (KCCA FC), Asaba Ivan (Vipers SC), Ssekajja Davis (Bright Stars FC), Wabyoona Faisal (Big Talent SA).

Forwards: Bogere Ivan (Proline FC), Ssenyonjo Samuel (KCCA FC), Kakooza Derrick (Police FC), Basangwa Richard (Vipers SC), Bukenya Joseph Kizza (KCCA FC), Ssali Alpha Thierry (Proline FC).

After four consecutive draws, Hyderabad FC were in desperate need of a win when they met Chennaiyin FC on Sunday. Chennaiyin, themselves, were struggling a bit and needed the wina s much as their opponents. 

But it would be the Nizams who would take the spoils and consolidate their spot in the top four. The win was very important for them as it came on the back of four consecutive draws. For Chennaiyin, it was a case of their familiar malaise upfront where they wasted a number of chances. 

Experienced Spanish striker Fran Sandaza, given a start for the first time this season by coach Manuel Marquez, impressed with the opening goal. The 36-year-old, who scored an injury time equaliser for the Nizams in their last match against Bengaluru FC, looked very dangerous alongside Aridane Santana and deservedly got that important opening goal, thanks to Joao Victor who played a delightful pass.

Sandaza played for just 55 minutes but in that time he had a huge impact on the game with his presence and ability to pose constant threats in the opposition's penalty area. Sandaza was replaced by Australian striker Joel Chianese who scored the second goal of the match with a quality strike and sealed the fate of the game.

Manuel Marquez will be happy after seeing two of his foreign recruits, who did not play much in the first half of the season due to injuries, start to have an influence on games.

Hyderabad are one of those very few clubs in the ISL this season who hardly got a chance to fulfill their foreign players' quota in their starting eleven's for most of the season. Despite missing the full services of their overseas contingent, Hyderabad have performed consistently and got key results which has kept them firmly in the race for the play-offs.

The injured players are now slowly returning and it augurs well for the Nizams. With only five matches left in the season, Hyderabad are right in the middle of a cut-throat competition with NorthEast United and FC Goa for two play-offs berths and at this stage, the manager will want to make full use of his squad.

Another area where Hyderabad has impressed is their Indian players. Very rarely do ISL clubs witness consistent performances from their Indian players. Marquez has mostly used seven Indian outfield players (Chinglensana Singh, Asish Rai, Akash Mishra, Halicharan Narzary, Liston Colaco, Mohammed Yasir and Hitesh Sharma) in rotation for the majority of Hyderabad's games this season and all of them have impressed in parts.

While the signs are encouraging for Hyderabad FC, Chennaiyin FC are in a rut and there are no signs of Csaba Laszlo's side ending it. And it has not been a case of the Laszlo's side getting outplayed. Apart from the reverse fixture against Hyderabad which they lost 4-1, the Marina Machans have not been outplayed in any game. 

But they consistently end up on the wrong side of a result, thanks to their profligate finishing. 

The former champions once again created a host of chances especially in the second half as they chased the game. Fatkhullo Fatkhuloev, Rahim Ali and more were guilty of spurning easy chances that should have at least seen Chennaiyin restore parity if not win. However, the confidence is so slow among the forwards that nothing seems to be going right for them upfront. 

As Csaba Laszlo said after the game, Football without goals is nothing and all the chances you create become pointless if a team does not convert them.

Chennaiyin are not entirely out of the race for the play-offs spots after the Hyderabad defeat but unless they find a solution to their profligacy in front of the goal, their chances remain bleak.

South Korean outfit Ulsan Hyundai are back at the site of their 2020 AFC Champions League triumph, in Qatar, for the FIFA Club World Cup which is set to kick-off on February 4. 

The bio-bubble they currently are in is nothing new to the side, as they had experienced the same during the AFC Champions League a couple of months back. The entire East Zone matches and the grand final was held in Doha, at four venues. 

Qatar's ambassador to South Korea, Mohammed Ahmad Al-Hayki, believes that Ulsan can expect the same level of professional health and safety levels from the host nation for the Club World Cup as well. It must be noted that Ulsan's former coach Kim Do-hoon had praised the arrangements and safety protocols in Qatar, especially during a time when most of the continent was reeling due to the pandemic. 

Al-Hayki has assured the same level of commitment to current Ulsan coach Hong Myung-bo as well.

"The 2020 AFC Champions League hosted in Doha was the biggest sporting event with 900 players participating across East and West zones. So that's a mega sporting event to host and to be able to control and administer. Therefore, during the pandemic and the COVID-19 issue, we have introduced certain protocols, enhanced testing and quarantine facilities in order to ensure and provide the players with the utmost possible healthy and safe environment to be in," he told Goal .

"This is what coach Kim Do-hoon praised on several occasions, the health and protocol procedures that the Qatari authorities in Doha made available for the players during that game. We are of course very proud of the highly efficient protocol of health and safety set (by the Government of Qatar). We were, as a matter of fact, able to flatten the curve of COVID-19 in just few months from the peak of the outbreak in March and April. So thanks to our frontline workers during the Champions League, no positive cases of COVID-19 were reported. So this is a clear testimony that the health and safety of the players are paramount as far as we are concerned.

"And here I would like to avail myself of this opportunity to reassure the legendary Hong Myung-bo that he and his team can expect the same level of professional health and safety COVID-related protocol implementation so that they can play and compete in a very safe and healthy environment."

So while most of the AFC Champions League (barring the final) was conducted behind closed doors, it is expected that the Club World Cup could see fans in restricted numbers (30 per cent fans in two venues) as was the case during the Amir Cup final and the AFC Champions League final where Ulsan defeated Persepolis in December. Al-Hayki feels the presence of fans is something Qatar will look to ensure while keeping the safety aspect in mind.

"We will look at all options as far as creating an environment conducing to promote the game but our main issue is of course safety and health here. So while we will be guided by the health protocols set by the Ministry of Public Health in Doha and I am sure that the organising committee will be in close contact with the committee in order to ensure the best possible environment and provide all the health and safety issues which are paramount. Therefore, we will look into the situation as it develops and we will act accordingly as far as the percentage of attendees is concerned."

He went on to add that Qatar and South Korea have a history of hosting major sporting events like the Asian Games. South Korea also have co-hosted the World Cup, back in 2002. Now as Qatar prepares to host the continent's second World Cup, Al-Hayki feels both nations have a lot to learn from each other's experiences and share knowledge for the betterment of sport on the continent.

"We are very proud of our history of hosting mega sporting events. Whether it's the Asian Games in 2006 or the preparation for the upcoming World Cup in 2022. And Korea is also the same, they hosted major sporting events. I think we can work together to learn from each other's experiences and therefore, enhance the sporting games between us.

"And sports today is not only sports. It is a diplomatic and cultural bridge which brings people from different countries around the world, not only to watch football games but also to learn and understand more about each other's cultures - be it in cuisine or music or in fashion, architecture and arts. There is a lot to learn from sports. Sports is now becoming something which is a major cultural event and not just sporting events."

Going into Sunday's Indian Super League (ISL) match against ATK Mohun Bagan, there were two things that Kerala Blasters had to focus on. Firstly, they needed a good start. And then they needed to defend their lead after the break.

Blasters knew that they statistically had the worst defence in the league and only East Bengal had conceded more goals in the second half of matches. To make things worse, they were going up against a side who had scored 12 out of their 13 goals this season after the break. And what seemed like the inevitable did happen. 

The Yellow Army got what they had wanted and it was Gary Hooper. The former Celtic forward continued his rise in stature as a strike partner to Jordan Murray and opened the scoring with a belter of a strike. He had a throwback moment to his Norwich City days when he collected a pass from right-back Sandeep Singh and sent a thunderous effort into the net. 

Blasters had the opening goal they craved for and looked dominant enough to win the game in the first half itself had it been any other team. But Bagan have been experts at turning up the heat after the restart and so the dressing room team talk at half-time had to be about denying them a comeback. 

Blasters looked like they had gotten it right when they doubled the lead in the 51st minute. Sahal Abdul Samad's corner kick was flicked into the box by Rahul KP and Costa Nhamoinescu headed it towards goal. Arindam Bhattacharya saved the headed effort but couldn't deny the defender a goal as the latter smashed home the rebound. 

Bagan, like they have done multiple times this season, seemed to have higher gears to get into. Antonio Habas' half-time changes - Manvir Singh and Pronay Halder in place of Sumit Rathi and Sheikh Sahil - made sense and the Mariners had more quality on the ball in the second half. 

Marcelinho, after clocking just over 300 minutes without scoring a goal for Odisha in the first half of the season, scored a well-taken goal on his debut for Bagan. He collected Manvir's lob over the defence, made short work of make-shift centre-back Jeakson Singh by dribbling into the box and chipped Albino Gomes in style. 

A handball by Jessel Carneiro during a tussle with Manvir, who had also handled the ball, inside the box gifted Bagan a penalty after the half-hour mark and Roy Krishna stepped up and converted from the spot to equalise.

Blasters' intensity dropped at the wrong time in the second half and a complacent defence eased Bagan's challenge. The team collectively failed to get a grip on the proceedings and opened up a comeback path for the Mariners to explore. And they did it gleefully. Both the refereeing and Blasters' defending left a lot to be desired. 

Three minutes from the end of normal time, Blasters' calamitous defending allowed Krishna to score his second of the night and win the game for Bagan. Costa and Jessel both missed straightforward headed clearances and allowed Krishna to pick his spot at the bottom left corner of the net.

It remains a tight race for the play-offs despite the defeat but Blasters' poor defending is what would have cost them top four if they miss out on that this season. 

It would be remiss of Bayern Munich not to take an interest in RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano, director Oliver Kahn has said.

CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has previously indicated that the club want to sign the young Frenchman, while Leipzig have confirmed that he has a €42.5 million (£38m/$52m) release clause in his contract.

Kahn, who will become Bayern president in 2022, has doubled down on the club’s insistence of negotiating with the centre-back, given they will have a need to sign in that area.

“We’re losing David Alaba,” Kahn admitted.

“We made him an offer a while ago. He didn’t accept this offer.

“I also understand that a player like him, who’s been at Bayern Munich for a long time, is looking for a new challenge now.

“We have to think about who could be an adequate replacement for David.

“As a player, I’d love to have played with Ramos, but there’s nothing in [him coming to Bayern].”   

Focusing on Upamecano specifically, Kahn said: “He’s in demand across Europe.

“This season, he’s shown the quality that he has. Of course, we’re also in talks.

“He’s a player that lots of Europe’s biggest clubs want and Bayern are currently the most successful club in the world in sporting terms.

“We’re especially attractive for these types of players at the moment.”

With the future of Jerome Boateng also uncertain, there could be a dramatic change in the heart of the Bayern defence over the course of the summer.

Meanwhile, the Champions League holders continue to dominate domestically, in Germany, where they hold a healthy seven-point advantage over Upamecano’s Leipzig side in the race for the Bundesliga title.

FCB have won all of their last four games and have scored an astonishing 57 goals in their 19 fixtures.

Their next outing comes on Friday, when they will tackle Hertha away from home.

After that encounter, however, they will travel to dispute the FIFA Club World Cup, which will take place in Doha.

They will play the winners of home side Al-Duhail's clash with Al Ahly on February 8.

Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman has been left seething after details of Lionel Messi’s contract were leaked to the media – and has vowed to identify and punish whoever is responsible. 

Barca find themselves in financial strife, but the figures shown on the six-time Ballon d’Or winner’s deal were astronomical.

El Mundo reported Messi's current deal is worth a whopping €555 million (£491m/$674m), including €138m (£112m/$167m) in annual earnings. 

Barcelona have threatened legal action against the newspaper after the details of Messi's conract were published.

With Messi out of contract in the summer, his future looks distinctly uncertain, particularly given the sums of money in his current deal.

Nevertheless, he continues to lead the club on the field as he did in the 2-1 victory against Athletic Club, during which he scored a superb free-kick to reach 650 career Barcelona goals.

"Whoever has leaked Messi's contract cannot have a future at Barca," Koeman said after the encounter. "What has come out in the press about Messi was done maliciously.

"We have to try to know how this could have come out in the press. We have to concentrate on our season. The team's been fine lately. We won a lot of games. We don't have to focus on this issue, but there are people who want to hurt Barca and Leo.

"Messi has been demonstrating his quality as a footballer for years, has helped a lot to make this club great and has helped a lot to win titles."

Koeman denied that the publication gave the 33-year-old Argentine any extra motivation on the field.

"I've noticed that Messi was very motivated, but not more than for other games," the Dutchman added.

"Of course today's news could have affected him. You have to respect the important players who have done so much for this club.

"Leo is a winner, he always wants to prove his quality. It's important to be united."

Meanwhile, Koeman praised his whole side for the manner in which they ground out their victory.

"The team was very good, especially in the first half. We deserved one more goal," he said.

"The team had a major reaction after their goal. When it was 2-1, we had to defend the result and we did.

"The team is growing, we're playing better, also in the defensive aspect. In February we'll have a lot of games again. It's going to be tough. It's not easy with just two days off between games, but the team's mindset is very good."

Despite the win, Barca remain 10 points off the pace of Atletico Madrid, who also have a game in hand.

Ebrima Colley netted his first Serie A goal with a second-half header as Hellas Verona crumbled 3-1 to AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico, in the process ending his wait to find the back of the net in the Italian elite division.

With the visitors down by three goals, the Gambia international who replaced Mattia Zaccagni in the 57th minute pulled one back for Ivan Juric’s men barely five minutes after his introduction.

The Yellow and Reds who came into the clash having edged Spezia 4-3 their last time out made a strong start as Gianluca Mancini put them ahead just 20 minutes into the encounter. The Italian defender headed past goalkeeper Marco Silvestri a well-taken corner kick from Lorenzo Pellegrini.

Two minutes later, Roma raced to a two-goal lead through Henrikh Mkhitaryan after getting a pass from Borja Mayoral who had rounded the goalkeeper.

In a goal-laden first half, Paulo Fonseca’s men got their third goal of the tie courtesy of Mayoral in the 29th minute – capitalising on a poor defending from the visitors.

The Gambian midfielder reduced the deficit for Verona – heading a well-taken cross from Daniel Bessa past Pau Lopez.

“We started the game very well, not giving Roma opportunities. But then, on the first corner kick against, with a jumper like Dawidowicz who was momentarily off the pitch, we took goals, and in the next 7-8 minutes we didn't do well,” Juric told club website after the game.

“When you face teams like Roma you have to be at your best, otherwise you struggle. What if we met a great team? Often this year we have put in difficulty very strong opponents such as Rome, today it has not succeeded, and we must accept it. We're going to lose, but we should have been more focused on the game stage where we conceded the goals.”

20-year-old Colley began his professional career at Atalanta and after two seasons at the Gewiss Stadium, he was loaned to the Mastiffs in September 2020 in a bid to get regular playing time.

Following their defeat, Hellas Verona occupy the ninth position in the log after accruing 30 points from 20 games played so far in the ongoing 2020-21 campaign.

Lionel Messi netted his 650th career goal for Barcelona with a first-half free-kick in Sunday's 2-1 win over Athletic Club. 

Messi netted 20 minutes into the match at Camp Nou with a stunning set piece before the visitors answered back just after half-time through a Jordi Alba own goal. 

Barca would find the winner with 15 minutes to play as Antoine Griezmann finished off a cross from Oscar Mingueza to seal victory. 

Messi reached the 650-goal milestone for Barca on the same day the club threatened to take legal action against El Mundo after the newspaper published the details of his €555 million (£491m/$674m) contract.

The club legend was able to shift his focus to on-field matters by scoring his 49th direct free-kick for Barca, with 38 of those coming in La Liga. 

Messi has now scored two direct free-kick goals from his last four attempts in all competitions, after netting just one from his previous 62 attempts.

Barcelona moved up to second place with Sunday's win but they are still 10 points behind Diego Simeone's high-flying Atletico Madrid side, who have also played one game fewer than the Blaugrana. 

Catching Atletico will prove a major challenge in what could be Messi's final season at Barca, as his contract enters its final six months. 

Speaking to Movistar after the match, Griezmann saluted his team-mate, who has been key to his side winning five consecutive matches in La Liga. 

"Messi is a legend, we are enjoying him, and hopefully he will keep helping us win," the France international said. 

Griezmann also had praise for his international team-mate Ousmane Dembele, who has overcome an injury earlier in the season to start five Liga games in a row for Barca.

"Dembele is playing very well," Griezmann added. "We just want to get him in the best shape as possible so he can help us as much as possible."

Barca face a Copa del Rey quarter-final against Granada on Wednesday before returning to Liga action against Real Betis next weekend.

Pep Guardiola said Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva struggled after he was charged by the Football Association for a controversial tweet.

The Portuguese midfielder was handed a one-match ban and fined £50,000 ($64,160) for a tweet aimed at team-mate Benjamin Mendy in 2019.

He posted a photo of Mendy as a child alongside an old image from Spanish company 'Conguitos' that has been condemned for racist undertones.

The French defender did not take offence, replying with laughing emojis, but the tweet was said to have constituted an “aggravated breach” of FA rules on social media behaviour.

Both Guardiola and Mendy defended the player in the aftermath, but the City boss still said the controversy contributed to a dip in form for Silva.

But the Portugal star has been close to his best this season and contributed another non-stop performance in the 1-0 victory over Sheffield United to help move City three points clear at the top of the Premier League.

“What a huge competitor again - he played an incredible game and he was absolutely brilliant,” Guardiola said. “His humility - in the bad moments he never loses the smile.

“It was a tough period for him, when he was being accused of something he’s not, and it was so hurtful for him.

“Still I cannot understand how the people of the [FA], can accuse him to make a joke from a real friend with Mendy and he struggled sentimentally because he is a humble guy.

“I am delighted he’s back and he is playing the level that we know. He can do everything. He is another top fantastic player who always does the service of the team.”

Meanwhile, the victory over the Blades was City’s ninth in January, which set a new record for most wins by a team in the top four tiers of English football in a single month.

Guardiola said it was a particularly big achievement during the coronavirus pandemic when there are no fans in the stadium and the fixture schedule has been compacted.

“To achieve this is quite remarkable, more than any other period from our lives so that is why I didn’t expect it,” he said.

“I said to the players in the meeting, we’ve finished the first leg, congratulations, it’s remarkable what you’ve done all of you and now keep going. Now go home and rest and Burnley.”

City are back in action on Wednesday when they face Burnley at Turf Moor.

Mikel Arteta has hailed the influence of David Luiz, calling the Arsenal defender a ‘joy to work with’.

Having struggled with some injury issues this season, Luiz is now enjoying an excellent run of form and was named man of the match on Saturday as Arsenal drew 0-0 with Manchester United in the Premier League.

The 33-year-old Brazilian has formed an impressive partnership with Rob Holding in the heart of the Arsenal defence in recent weeks and has started each of the last four league games, helping the Gunners to three clean sheets.

And Arteta has paid tribute to the former Chelsea star for the way he continues to perform at the highest level.

“It’s credit to him because he trains really hard,” said the Arsenal manager.

“This season has been really tough in the beginning because he’s been through some injuries but he’s kept at it, he understood his role, he knows his role in the team, he’s one of our leaders and he’s so willing to keep improving.

“Even at this age he’s always looking at his games and his clips, all the time asking questions. When that happens you can still improve as a player and I think that’s why he’s performing the way he is at the moment.”

Arteta added: “David knows the things that he’s really good at and the things where there is still room for improvement.

“He’s a really honest man with himself. He’s won everything and it’s a joy to work with him.

“He showed his character first of all with the decision he made to join the club when he was with a club where he was winning trophies and he was still comfortable and under contract.

“He wanted a challenge and at that age it tells you everything because normally at that age the challenge is not sporting but more a financial decision that you take to go to a different country.

“But David loves this game so much and he wants to keep playing at the highest level in a very competitive league. This is the challenge that he’s enjoying at the moment.”

Luiz is out of contract at the end of the season having agreed to a year-long extension last summer following his move from Chelsea in 2019.

Talks over extending his stay have yet to begin, but Arteta says his relationship with the defender means that there is no rush to enter into official negotiations and that his focus now should only be on ending the season as well as possible.

“No, there are still a few months to go on that,” said the Spaniard, when asked whether talks over a new contract had begun. “I talk to him all the time about this kind of thing so we’re in a good position. 

“What I want is for him to keep performing like this to the end of the season.”

Luiz is a hugely popular member of the Arsenal squad, both with the senior stars and the youngsters - many of which he has taken under his wing.

“He’s a great example for them,” said Arteta. “He’s got a good mixture with them between some banter and then some stick.

“They all listen to him because of who he is and what he’s done in the game. But also because how he behaves every day, how professional he is and how he goes about the job.

“He is one of the key role models that we have in our team.”

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has complained that Karim Benzema’s absence from the France national team has been a “huge waste”.

Benzema has not featured for France since 2015, when he was accused of blackmailing team-mate Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape in which the then-Marseille player appeared.

The Real Madrid striker has missed out on a number of big international events, including Euro 2016 in his homeland and France’s successful tilt at the World Cup in 2018.

“It’s a huge mess,” Perez told Europe 1. “To deprive yourself of the presence of one of the best players in the world is a situation that no one can understand.

“I would like to highlight his behaviour, which has been exemplary. He is appreciated greatly by his team-mates.

“Benzema represents values ​​such as professionalism, commitment, humility. I would like to point out that Benzema has never been sent off from the pitch.

"We are very proud of him. All I can say about Karim is positive. That's why I don't understand why he does not play in the France team.”

The player has suggested that France head coach Didier Deschamps has bowed to public pressure from a racist part of French society not to include him in the side, but Les Bleus’ boss says he cannot forget those comments.

“It’s a scar,” Deschamps admitted. “Even if time has passed, I can’t forget about it. It’s not just related to Karim Benzema. There have been statements from other people which have led to this and which affect my family.”

Benzema has not closed the door on a return to international duty, but it is increasingly looking like he will be stuck on 81 caps and 27 goals for his country.

He exploded onto the international scene by scoring the winner against Austria on his debut as a teenager in 2007, while he featured at the European Championship a year later. He has also played at two World Cups and at Euro 2012.

However, he never featured in a truly successful France side due to his off-field affairs.